Rounding off a second successive all-win day for India, Olympian Jitender Kumar (54kg) and Jai Bhagwan (60kg) advanced to the quarter-finals with contrasting wins at the Asian Boxing Championships in Zhuhai, China, on Monday.
Jitender was the first to take the ring, and the Beijing Olympics quarter-finalist defeated Thailand's Chatchai Butdee in a thrilling contest.
The two boxers were tied 4-4 after the regulation three rounds and were locked 4-4 even on countback, but Jitender won after three of the five judges officiating the bout declared him the better of the two boxers.
"I was leading in the first two rounds but he became very aggressive in the final round and equalised. I was very tense after we were found to be tied even after the countback. It was such a relief when judges declared me winner for being a better boxer," a relieved Jitender told said from Zhuhai.
The 22-year-old Haryana-boxer now takes on Enkhjargal Iderkhu in the quarter-finals on Wednesday in what would be his first bout against the Mongolian.
"I have not seen this guy. The coaches are keeping an eye on his bouts and will formulate a strategy accordingly," said Jitender.
Meanwhile, in lightweight category, Jai Bhagwan thumped Thailand's Adi Sailom 7-0 in a lopsided contest. The Indian now takes on local favourite Hu Qian Xun in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
"Don't go by the scoreline; he was a tough customer," Jai said after his bout.
"Next up is a Chinese. He will have the home advantage but, hopefully, I would be able to draw from my experience and get past him," Jai said.
Tomorrow, Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh will open his campaign in the event against Uzbekistan's Atoev Abbos.
Abbos was a light-heavyweight boxer and won the gold medal at the 2007 World Championships in Chicago.
Youth World champion Thokchom Nanao Singh (48kg), who got a bye in the first round, will compete for a place in the semi-finals n Tuesday.
Chhote Lal Yadav (57kg) and Jagat Singh (69kg) will also start their campaign on Tuesday.
